Why Meandering Through Madrid Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Photographer Sharon Zobali took to the sidewalks of one of Spain's most historic cities.

By
Taylor Branson and Photographs by Sharon Zobali

Mar 21, 2017

Sharon Zobali

The capital of Spain's expansive elegance is rich in art, architecture and is apt for those with an appetite for architecture, shopping, sightseeing and some of the best in Spanish cuisine. Here, 26 photos straight from Madrid's stately sidewalks that will make you want to book a trip.

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The Plaza de la Villa

Sharon Zobali

This patriarch of Spanish plazas, makes for quite the postcard. The former seat of the Madrid government, the open space is enclosed on three sides by Barroco Madrileno–Madrid style architecture–from the 17th century. It was originally called the Plaza de San Salvador after a church which once was close by.

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Take in the View

Sharon Zobali

A city meant for sidewalk strolls, every corner of Madrid is toppled high with intricate architecture and Romeo-worthy balconies.

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The Royal Palace

Sharon Zobali

The Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of the royal family, is often the site of state ceremonies and governmental proceedings. Located in the western part of downtown Madrid on Calle de Bailen, the palace is open to the public (take that Buckingham) and measures in at 1,450,000 square feet and 3,418 rooms–making it the largest royal palace in Europe.

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The Skyline

Sharon Zobali

The dreamy cityscape captured from within the walls of the Royal Palace.

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Inside the Palace...

Sharon Zobali

Ceiling architecture inside the Royal Palace, fit for a queen.

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The Almudena Cathedral

Sharon Zobali

Down the sidewalk from the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral. The Catholic cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid and was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.

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Plaza de Oriente

Sharon Zobali

Plaza de Oriente sits in the center of the city, neighboring the Royal Palace and Royal Theater in the west and east, making it the perfect breezeway for bumbling tourists.

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Plaza de España

Sharon Zobali

Located at the western end of the Gran Via, Plaza de España is a large square in the center of Madrid. It features a monument dedicated to Spanish poet, novelist, and sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut-Valera Mendigutia which also includes a bronze sculptor of Don Quixote. A great place to sit and relax, the plaza is also a short walk away from the Palacio Real.

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Street Style

Sharon Zobali

A city rich in bustle, Madrid is no stranger to constant energy, from both locals and visitors.

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Dig In

Sharon Zobali

A paella picnic is the most authentic lunch break one could take in this city. The traditional Valencia rice dish, which originated in the 19th century, comes in dozens of different varieties but classically features various meats, vegetables and fish. It is often regarded as the country's national dish, and to locals is considered a staple. While we don't recommend waiting for a trip to Spain to try Paella if you haven't, sampling it in Madrid is certainly an experience not to be missed.

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Haute Cuisine

Sharon Zobali

Fine dining options are infinite along the sidewalks adjacent to the Plaza Mayor, an ideal location to curb local cuisine cravings.

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Calle de Postas

Sharon Zobali

Looking for a tourist hub with good reason? Take a stroll down Calle de Postas.

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Room for Dessert

Sharon Zobali

Take a break from sidewalk strolls and melt into the must-taste experience of a traditional churro plate, where the soft Spanish pastries are traditionally served with melted dipping chocolate.

Spain's signature souvenir site trails along Carrera San Jeronimo, where visitors and locals roam between colorful restaurants and trinkets to take home.

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Street Art

Sharon Zobali

The Plaza Mayor is home to street artists, capturing the visual soundtrack of the city–head here to watch them work, or perhaps take home a piece that catches your eye.

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All in the Details

Sharon Zobali

An artist's work spotted at the Plaza Mayor.

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Plaza Mayor

Sharon Zobali

Two roads may have diverged in a wood, but the Plaza Mayor in central Madrid diverges into nine entrances. The infamous plaza is flanked by a perimeter of three-story residential buildings, and is one of the world's most famous social grounds.

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Casa de la Panaderia

Sharon Zobali

The beautiful Casa de la Panaderia is a cultural and municipal building located on the north side of the Plaza Mayor. While it's not much of an attraction inside, it's facade is most definitely Instagram-worthy.

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Take in the Scene

Sharon Zobali

Plaza Mayor with its adjoining Casa de la Panaderia.

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Get Around

Sharon Zobali

Wondering how to best get around the city? In good weather, opt for the local's ideal mode of transportation–a bicicleta.

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Hit the Shops

Sharon Zobali

A true BAZAAR reader locates a city's best shopping. Case in point: Calle de Preciados.

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Live like a Local

Sharon Zobali

Looking for a truly Spanish stay? Rent an apartment for your stay rather than laying your head in a hotel. Here, a quaint snapshot of local residential homes that could just be yours for the length of your trip.

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The Monuments

Sharon Zobali

One of many gorgeous monuments you'll spot around the city, this bronze statue of King Philips III was constructed in 1916 by Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca, and sits amongst the buzz of the Plaza Mayor.

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The Architecture

Sharon Zobali

Madrid's architecture is certainly not subtle, and tends to steer more vast and breathtaking in scale. Here, one of the nine entranceways into the Plaza Mayor, where one is swallowed into the bustling urban scene.

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Puerta del Sol

Sharon Zobali

Puerta del Sol, the gate of the sun, is a public square remarked for its status as a business epicenter in the heart of city. It falls in the middle of the radial network of Spanish streets, making it the center of city life for most professionals in the city, literally.

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